Still balancing improvement and accountability? Developments in external quality assurance in the Nordic countries 1996-2006

摘要

To present developments in external quality assurance (EQA) in the Nordic countries from 1996 to 2006 and point out how EQA could also stimulate a quality culture in the 'age of accreditation'. EQA helps in the development of an internal quality culture in higher education. Studies have shown that EQA can stimulate, but also create obstacles for institutional improvement. Thus, a key issue is a balance between improvement and accountability. The Nordic countries have displayed this balance during the 1990s, but of late, its maintenance over time is uncertain, given the recent introduction of various accreditation schemes. (26 refs.)